Meet Limbani: The 25th Chimpanzee PETA Has Helped Rescue So Far!

Limbani was only 4 days old when he was taken from his mother and would never see her again. He would spend the next eight years in solitary confinement in a barren, concrete-floored cage at Zoological Wildlife Foundation – a comfortingly named but sleazy roadside zoo operated by Tiger King villain, former drug kingpin, and convicted felon Mario Tabraue, perhaps best known for attempting to dismember the corpse of an FBI informant. Limbani would be exploited there for photo ops and dangerous public encounters.

The ‘Chimp Crazy’ Effect

In the wake of HBO Max’s Chimp Crazy – the must-see explosive docuseries that highlights the dangers and cruelty inherent in private ownership of chimpanzees and PETA’s role in stopping it – PETA escalated our pressure campaign. We offered a reward of up to $10,000 for evidence that would result in Limbani’s confiscation by law enforcement and submitted formal complaints to state officials. More than 200,000 PETA supporters called for Limbani’s release, and it all paid off: He was moved from his Florida prison to the spacious Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida.

Now, Limbani has a large, lush outdoor habitat to explore and the opportunity to connect with a surrogate mother, who will teach him how to establish relationships and to finally be a chimpanzee. Caretakers report he has boundless energy and spends time spinning on hanging toys, climbing, and playing chase. His favorite foods? Colorful mini peppers and oatmeal!

Limbani is the 25th chimpanzee PETA has helped rescue from dire circumstances – but he won’t be the last. Our $10,000 reward still stands for information leading to the confiscation of any of the other chimpanzees across the US who are still languishing at roadside zoos or in the pet trade – including Bow, the last solitary chimpanzee held in a private home, and Ricky, a chimpanzee exploited for photo shoots and commercials. Our work continues.